Venezuela - Meeting Minutes, Earthquake Response, Caracas, June 26, 2026

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CURRENT SITUATION

• Consecutive large-magnitude earthquakes (7.2 and 7.5), occurring just 40 seconds apart and followed by more than 1,300 aftershocks, with the epicenter off the north-central coast near Montalbán (Carabobo state).
• Actions Taken: 
  • National Emergency and Civil Protection System; deployment of search and rescue teams. 
  • A Unified Command Post has been established. 
• Confirmed financial contributions: $150 million from the U.S. and $300,000 from CAF.

• The immediate priorities identified by the government are: 

  • Search and rescue during the first 72 hours.
  • Deployments: The country’s Presidency has authorized USAR teams to deploy and has offered logistical support to incoming teams. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will coordinate with immigration authorities to expedite entry procedures for these teams. The designated point of entry is Simón Bolívar Airport. Additionally, the UNDAC team is expected to arrive in Caracas on June 27, 2026. 

   

GTL UPDATE

• The Logistics Working Group is prioritizing the identification of access restrictions to support partners’ logistics planning. These updates are reflected in LogIE. As usual, we appreciate it if partners can report additional information regarding road damage or the status of ports and airports through the platform or by contacting the team. 
• The Logistics Working Group has created a dedicated webpage for the emergency, which will be kept up to date with the most relevant information and where upcoming meetings will be announced, meeting minutes will be published, ETC. On this same webpage, partners can join the email distribution list to receive communications. 
• Air Transport: 
  • Operational airports: 

    • Simón Bolívar de Maiquetía (La Guaira): open only for receiving humanitarian aid, loading, and passengers. 

      The protocol for receiving aircraft and the designated point of contact for coordination are still to be determined.

    • Arturo Michelena (Valencia) and La Chinita (Maracaibo): open and operational for domestic and international commercial flights.
• Ground transportation: 
  • Central Regional Highway (Valencia–Caracas route): Traffic is reported to be normal.
  • Caracas–La Guaira Highway: Open to traffic, but traffic congestion is reported, causing delays in access. 
• The government has restricted access to La Guaira to facilitate rescue, emergency, and humanitarian efforts. Prior registration is required for access. The situation is changing rapidly; it is recommended to confirm the current status before traveling.
• Customs and Imports: The IMPACCT working group is gathering information from members regarding any challenges or questions they may have about the reporting processes. Partners interested in contacting IMPACCT or joining the WhatsApp group may do so by writing to impacct.2021@gmail.com. Based on the information gathered so far:
  • Prior authorization from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is required for import procedures.
  • There is the possibility of duty exemptions and facilitated entry of donations, in accordance with current regulations.
  • Telecommunications equipment is classified as restricted goods and requires special authorization for entry into the country.

  • We were informed of the creation of a periodic update bulletin, which will summarize relevant regulatory and operational changes.

     

PARTNER UPDATE

• Free Logistics Services for Partners: The World Food Programme will make these transportation and storage services available to the humanitarian community free of charge on a temporary basis:
  • Nationwide Transportation: To support the movement of cargo to the affected area, WFP can provide transportation support from other parts of the country to Distribution Points and/or Pre-positioning Points.
  • Storage in El Consejo (Aragua State): 1,000 m².
  • Storage in La Guaira (La Guaira State): 500 m²

Note: Priority will be given to providing logistics services only for items defined as priorities by the government.

• Security and Mobility in Affected Areas: 

  • There has been an increase in checkpoints along the Caracas–La Guaira highway, as well as mobility restrictions beginning at 8:00 p.m. along this corridor; changes are expected. It is mandatory to carry a valid ID, as well as visible institutional identification (vest, badge, or other distinguishing mark).

     

     

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